Winter is here!

And you know what that means. IT'S EFFIN' COLD. But there are perks to cold weather. For example, epic snowball fights, hot chocolate, and a warm fireplace. And then there are miserable things about cold weather, such as blizzards. Like the day-after-Christmas blizzard of 2010. The one I got stuck in while driving through New Jersey (which is the pits). But I'm going to use my winter experience as an excuse to share this cute illustration by Lauren Bishop. I discovered her years ago, and often find myself wandering to her website to check out new fabulous works of art.

(disclaimer: the snowstorm I got stuck in looked nothing like this. But we can pretend.)

I love checking out independent fashion illustrators. Seeing the different styles and techniques of the individual artist really inspires me. Lauren Bishop definitely exhibits a certain grace with a somewhat retro flair in her work that I am drawn to, and her use of colors, prints, and space is exquisite and consistent. Each drawing has such an intense personality. I especially like the elegant lady shown above, and she was the perfect image of the romantic winter. The coat print kinda reminds me of a winter storm, but it's contained within the silhouette, and therefore becomes elegant and beautiful. Perhaps I am merely overanalyzing... but Lauren Bishop is definitely worth checking out. You can view her website here: www.laurenbishopillustration.co.uk

PS- anytime you're feeling down, think about a box of kittens~

Goodbye to autumn...

The warm weather has LONG since gone, and winter is already announcing its arrival. Up here in the good 'ole northeast, it feels like fall lasted an entire 2 weeks before it skipped town. But don't let the cold keep you from having a good time! All over the city, shops and markets are preparing for the holiday season. I've already found some neat places to go and exciting things to do for some old fashioned winter fun!

1. FREE-ICE SKATING!
You remember Bryant park? The Southwest porch, the fountain, and a huge field of grass for picnics, movie showings, and massive yoga sessions? Since chilly weather rolled in, the park has been completely transformed into a holiday wonderland! A huge ice-skating rink has been set up and the entire facility has been set up as a picturesque winter getaway, with spruce trees, a bar and lounge, gift shops, and old-school holiday music. A relaxing, yet fun experience.


2. HOT CHOCOLATE!
Nothing beats hot chocolate when its cold outside. It'll warm your hands and your insides as soon as you take the first sip. But you can't just drink any old swiss miss this season. Hop over to Chocolate by the Bald Man and sample Max Brenner's version of the perfect hot chocolate, chocolate shots, or any kind of chocolate, because it's all DELICIOUS. You can get a cup of their creamy, real hot chocolate at their restaurant in Union square, or at their booth at Bryant park.


3. Holiday Markets!
You know you need to get that Christmas shopping done, but you don't want to get your family and friends any old gift. Check out some of the Holiday Markets that have popped up around New York City. There are the shops littered around the skating rink at Bryant park, as well as a in a few other well known places, such as Union square, Columbus circle, even Grand Central Station! So no matter what part of Manhattan you're in, some good shopping is right around the corner! Check one out!



images courtesy of google

Nick and Norma's Infinite Wellness!

When you push yourself to write every day, it starts to become difficult to think of good topics. So my writing yesterday consisted of notebook thoughts/word vomit. How Romantic...
But yesterday I discovered the delights of Norma Kamali's Wellness Cafe, located in her retail store in Midtown Manhattan. My purpose there was not to experience the cafe, but during my wait I was offered a warm sample of her organic green tea. I have to say, it was QUITE delicious.

The idea behind Norma Kamali's Wellness Cafe is based on the health properties of olive oil.

Olive oil is a healthy unsaturated fat that contains high amounts of antioxidants and vitamins. I'm not an expert on nutrition, so you can view a more detailed description of olive oil's health benefits here. --> http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/olive-oil.htm

So anyways. Back to the tea. Lucky for me it was a free sample, because a pack of the tea herbs costs about $15. It might be financially better to go to the drugstore and pick up a box of Celestial Seasonings Herbal tea for 2 bucks. MMMMM tea! <3
Next week will be the arrival of a new type of organic tea for the Wellness Cafe... Oolong! I might actually have to splurge and get some, because oolong tea is amazing. And, you know, the weather is getting colder, and a cup of hot tea is perfect for staying warm and healthy.

Letter to my Notebook

Dearest Notebook,

Your crisp pages have seduced me. Lined paper can be so ruggedly pure, so painfully innocent. May you never abandon me, for your tangible existence drives my heart to lusting. You are the best listener, the warmest comfort, and the most compromised entity I know. For you were once a thing so strong and immovable, and now you've been reduced to being malleable and thin, forced to bear the burden of knowledge and emotions. Notebook, though you may be brittle, you are under no circumstance unloved.


photo by photographer Nicolas Henri http://nicolashenri.ch/blog/

Lanvin for H&M

Watched this video on Anna Dello Russo's blog. It made me happy, so I decided to share.

Chicken Fingers!

So it's Day 3 of my 'write every day' promise, and I have already failed! It's true, I didn't write a darn thing yesterday. BUT, I did spend some time in the city with an awesome friend of mine. :)

A Regular Adventure with Shantay:
1. FOOD. Preferrably with lots of grease. Like Chinese. Or McDonald's.
2. People-watching. Such as rating each wipe-out on the ice skating rink.
3. Loitering at every Duane Reade/Walgreens/CVS or Rite Aid we happen to come across.
4. "Shopping" -As in going into stores and shops and thinking about buying things but usually not. Or if we do buy something, its always awesome. Like Hot Chocolate and new notebooks!
5. Hand to Forehead.
6. Dr. Pepper pit stops.
7. Hoakie New York souvenir shops and laughing at misspelled T-shirts and inappropriate gag gifts.
8. Getting mistaken for lesbian lovers? What?
9. Random picture taking/Photo Booths/Disposable Cameras ARE THE BEST.
10. Making friends in unsuspecting places. :)

But I digress. I really wanted to share my fantastic find at a local street festival the other day.


Yes, that is me, hardcore cheesin'. BE HAPPY!

Chicken Gloves! They are super wonderful wool-knit mittens with a polyester fleece interior to keep my digits toasty warm! And they look like chickens. YES.
Also featured in this photo: I got new specs! Lucky for me, my mom works for my eye doctor, so I scored myself a pair of Armani eye glasses for wholesale price. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT. I've had glasses since 6th grade, but I never actually wore them on a regular basis. But these glasses are sexy designer goodness, so I think that should be considered incentive.

Well, since I didn't write anything yesterday, I think I'll write twice as much today. Oh, sweet paper notebook, how I've missed thee~

10 Things

As I was browsing through some other blogs, I saw that Flashes of Style had created this list, and was challenging others to do the same. So I thought, why not?

10 Things that make me happy.

1. Getting flirty sweet text messages from the one I love.

2. Shopping for the cutest shoes and finding the last pair in my size.

3. Splashing through puddles without my feet getting wet.

4. Turning on the radio in time to hear my favorite song starting.

5. Random things. Like pineapples.

6. Sketching to some awesome music.

7. Eclectic yet beautiful fashion editorials.

8. Falling in love with something that I created.

9. Doing something to make the person dearest to me happy.

10. This incredibly adorable dragon ring on Etsy.com! MUST HAVE.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59171545/steampunk-dragon-ring-dragon-body-wrap

What makes you happy? =]